Bridge: April 24, 2024

Declarers often face difficult guesses. Nobody guesses right all the time; that’s the nature of guessing. But inferences from the bidding or play may be helpful.

In today’s deal, North’s raise to two spades, with three jacks and no shape, was questionable. Against four spades, West led the nine of diamonds: ten, jack, ace.

South then needed to resolve a guess in hearts; he had to reach dummy to finesse in trumps. He tried a heart to dummy’s jack — and went down two when East took the queen and cashed two diamonds, and the defense also got the ace of hearts and king of trumps.

KING OF TRUMPS

An expert South should succeed. He knows East started with the K-Q-J of diamonds, and declarer should assume that East has the king of trumps. But East didn’t open the bidding, so declarer can’t give him the ace of hearts also.

At Trick Two, South must give himself a chance by leading a heart to the king. He picks up the trumps with a finesse and loses only two diamonds and a heart.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S K 5 H Q 4 3 2 D K Q J 6 C 10 3 2. Your partner opens one diamond, you respond one heart and he bids one spade. What do you say?

ANSWER: If a bid of three diamonds would be invitational, that action is ideal. But if your partnership treats a jump-preference in opener’s minor as forcing (or if you have no agreement), you must underbid with two diamonds. If your style allows, you might bid two clubs as a forcing “fourth-suit” call.

North dealer

N-S vulnerable

NORTH

S J 3 2

H K J 10

D 10 4 3

C J 9 8 7

WEST

S 7 4

H A 9 7 6

D 9 8 7

C Q 6 5 4

EAST

S K 5

H Q 4 3 2

D K Q J 6

C 10 3 2

SOUTH

S A Q 10 9 8 6

H 8 5

D A 5 2

C A K

North East South West
Pass Pass 1 S Pass
2 S Pass 4 S All Pass
Opening lead — D 9

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